₦airaland Forum

Then the part of the forest that interest me most was the ‘’Aginju Idakeroro’’ the silent wilderness. It was as described by Fagunwa, no echo, not even the bird chirping nor the forest usual sound.

Before getting here the guide has asked if I really wanted to go down there , in my mind I was like that is why I am here sir. Lol.

There was a part in the silent wilderness where verbal communication is not allowed so we made gestures to each other till we moved out. This part also interestingly looks more like it is rainy season down there whereas out on the mountain experienced was dry harmmattan and leaves.

I would advise Yoruba literary teachers to take their students to go see the myths and mysteries of this forest to help them relate better to Fagunwa’s work and learn more about the Yoruba history. Also tourist that likes to explore, hike mountains and listen to interesting stories too should pay a visit to this place. Go prepared with good hiking boots or foot-wares, long sleeves, face-caps, snack-bag and a water-botle.

Also the Ondo State Government should look into this place and make the road accessible and user friendly for tourist. That way it can become well recognised as a UNESCO tourist site.

Worthy of note also, I passed through the protective "ewe gbese stream" and also saw the road that leads to "isalu orun" which literally means the road that leads to heaven.
Then proceeded to the "ibujoko olowo aye" i.e the seat of the mighty ruler of the earth. Then finally the "ogbun ainisale" the bottomless pit.


You can read up the full and well arranged detailed story on my blog @
https://www.demitalks.com/2019/01/08/my-sojourn-

From climbing the 73 steps that leads to the foot of the mountain where the "Apata Adimula" is where the seven elders as described by Fagunwa do have their meetings and pray to seeing the "Ile Ejonla Ibinu" The dwelling of the giant python that comes out once in a year.

The python is believed to posses a human head and visitors are usually not received around the time it comes out. Interestingly the guard added that if anyone come into the forest during those period and leaves even when the snake was not yet out the person would be mysteriously drawn back to the forest to be consumed by the python. What a mysterious move

Read the full and well detailed story on my blog @
https://www.demitalks.com/2019/01/08/my-sojourn-

Oke Langbodo which is the actual point the mystical forest is located is believed to be a place where giant snails and crabs appear bigger than a tortoise. The forest is at the heart of the historical settlement of Igbo Olodumare which is about 20 kilometers from Oke Igbo township off Ife-Ondo road in Ondo state, Nigeria. The settlement is characterised with farmlands of cocoa, palm fruits and oranges. The road to this place is in a terrible state, not motor-able and one is advised not to come during the rainy season as it is usually sloppy and has a very bad terrain. This usually make the commercial motorcycle operators charge exorbitant prices to get you there.

Cocoa farm produce at the village and also a cutlass to cut through the bushes

Read the full and well detailed story on my blog @
https://www.demitalks.com/2019/01/08/my-sojourn-

Journeying through the mystical forest of Igbo Olodumare was nothing short of fun to me. I was excited to see the characters in Fagunwa’s book in their real settings but unfortunately the place is not properly managed and just one of the characters was duly represented that is Baba Onirungbo, it would have been more fun seeing all but then I learnt a whole lot. I saw uncommon things like a weird bird that flew past me, I could not take a picture as it flew away in a flash.

Below is the statue of "Baba Onirungbo Yeuke" the long bearded man with his flute described in Fagunwa's book as the guard to the mystical forest.


Read the full and well detailed story on my blog @
https://www.demitalks.com/2019/01/08/my-sojourn-

Last month I paid a return Visit to the mystical forest of Igbo Olodumare, Oke Igbo in Ondo state. I had earlier visited the previous month but got to the site late and could not see beyond certain places as it was evening already. So I made up my mind to go back, which I did.

I had read Fagunwa’s book and though I believe mystical beings exist, I was fascinated to know the village and the forest itself actually still exist. That was for sure something I wanted to explore.

Who reads the great Yoruba novelist Pa Daniel Fagunwa’s book ’’ogboju ode ninu igbo orunmila’’ translated to English by professor Wole Soyinka as "Forest of Daemons" and not marvel at the power of his narratives of folklores that were familiar to people. He breathes life to his characters which gives one’s imaginations a treat to wonder and wander at how creative and enchanting his works were.

His works centered mainly on descriptive narratives of demons, spirits, monsters, gods, magic, witchcrafts, and mysteries. Of interest, it is also worthy of note that his works largely teaches high moral levels and standard of living from the Yoruba perspective.

At the foot of the mountain to climb to the forest is the inscription that says "Oke Langbodo ree" that is this is the mountains called Langbodo.


Read the full and well detailed story on my blog @

https://www.demitalks.com/2019/01/08/my-sojourn-

Born2Breed:
Its no more a story if its lie conjured by revisionist. Did Oranmiyan fought and conquered Benin?

Leave Edo state out of your lies, someone who is only knowledgeable in Yoruba history is not true historian, your knowledge of history must cover every race linked with yours,you carry out proper research.
The groove guard and your mother told you one side of the story,her/their story not my or our story.

This is not about superiority or ego but the truth.

A story means? Besides I never said I told your story. And the "truth" you say here is relative. Very. I read deep research from other great Yoruba scholars that clearly nullify your claims but I won't call yours a lie. Never. It's your story, own it. It's the Yoruba story too they also own theirs and won't give up on what they believe. The fact I choose to tell one part out of both stories was clearly not out of bias but out of opportunity. If I happen to travel to Benin some other time and get a chance to tell their stories also I will gladly do that.

You saw the disclaimer at the beginning of the post? A narration I put into writing.

This debate and the truth you claim have been in existence between both kingdoms for long and none is giving so I see no reason why I should thereby call any of the party liars. They have decided to hold on to their claims and that's fine.

I guess I have said enough.

Born2Breed:
The bolded explains it all.

The Yoruba POV.

Same as yours which is the Benin POV. I'm a storyteller not an archaeologist nor a historian and I simply narrated a story. It could be folklore, myths or mere imagination. My concern is how captivating the story is and the connections it creates.

Born2Breed:
Do a thorough research before you post on your blog. Oranmiyan did NOT conquer anywhere in Edo State. He was SENT by his father (Oduduwa -/Ekhaladerhan) to take his place on the throne of his forefathers,he was brought to Benin and the Benin's fought for him to take over the throne from the usurper Ogiamen who was the regent. He couldn't bear the pressure and chickened out to look for a more peaceful and docile people to rule over but after impregnating his wife the Queen.

I did. And I saw different views to the story. Especially the dispute between the Yorubas and Benin kingdom of who is more superior or from whom their source originated from.

Don't just conclude or assume your view to be correct. What I posted was narrated to me by the guard at the groove also my mom who is also a Yoruba/History scholar narrated same besides other Yoruba scholars too claim same belief.

So, I understand fully well the angle you are coming from.

Raskasal:
Thank you for bringing history to our palm. How was your trip?

Good. Thanks.

GlorifiedTunde:
Lady, you're doing a fantastic job. Keep it up!

Endeavour to start watermarking your pictures from now onwards, for intellectual property rights.

You never know what fortune a picture may bring to you in the nearest future.

Thanks a lot. I will.

docadams:
@OP , What happened to a prior thread on same topic?

I don't understand??

TheStarsAlign:
Bbsharon, all I can see in you is bravery (which I admire), but be careful though. Too much bravery can have its consequences too. Your friend just thinking loud...

Thank you

jesutakewe:
I have a question for you OP. If the saying is true that Oranmiyan was the son of Oduduwa he sent to Benin. How come in your story he returned to Ife and sent the King (Oduduwa I suppose) on exile? If it wasn't Oduduwa he sent on exile, then he must have deposed his own brother right? or who was that king he sent on exile? Please clarify.

No it wasn't Oduduwa he sent on exile but his brother.

prolog2:
When you deal with the imaginary, you are not called a touristic center, rather you are called an attraction center.

The imaginary that has at least an evidence to show for it?? That's why the story is being told so one can relate with it. You don't have to believe in this but some people do and they do so strongly and they appreciate the sense of culture they have been able to carry on successfully from one generation to another.

I believe a tourist centre can have just a single piece of historical piece and still be appreciated. The only problem with this one is the fact of it not being properly maintained over the years.

Most importantly I do not buy the idea of belittling or despising other people belief simply because I don't hold same ideology.

Beside please do post your thoughts in one piece. To avoid spamming this thread. Thanks.

prolog2:
Only yoruba will confuse fables and folklore with actual history in 2019

lordlek:
good research ....na ur kind blogger I been like wella... not like those monitoring spirits wey dey call demsef bloggers

Thanks

0balufonlll:
X

So, I hope you enjoyed the time spent in my town. We hope you visit again, there are hundreds of such sites scattered around Ife.

Yes I did.

Infuriated that he has been called for no good cause he walked into the place where the groove is located present day and struck his staff to the ground. It is believed the staff was wooden but Oranmiyan spoke some incantations to it to make it become concrete-like. Scientific research dates the staff to be around 1300 centuries. The people of Ile-Ife still believe to this day that Oranmiyan can and still fight their battles and also protect their lands from enemies. Prayers are offered at the foot of the staff but no form of sacrifice allowed not even by traditionalist.

Bottles of strong Gin used for prayers at the groove
Interesting place I must say. I particularly enjoyed the beautiful story and the natural feeling of cool breeze and rustles by the trees. The guard was patient and also a good orator.

www.demitalks.com/2018/12/11/my-visit-to-oranmiyan-staff

Pictures ;
** Beautiful garden at the groove.
** Bottle of dry gin use for praying.
** Fun picture by me

Days turned into weeks, weeks to months and then years passed and the great warrior Oranmiyan was not back. His warriors became worried and they inquired of the wife what has happened to their King, they lamented ;

‘’woman call your husband to come back as it seems we have been deserted and abandoned by him’’ The wife obliged to their cries of woes and called on Oranmiyan who did not appear before those who had evoked him but appeared at the entrance of the village. Upon his appearance, he went about beheading everyone that was in his way. He had appeared with the mindset that there was war in the land. The whole town was turned into chaos as men ran with fright into the bush , women with their babies wrapped to their chest ran helter skelter screaming on top of their voices and cursing.
The warriors and his wife sensing something was wrong rushed to the market square to find out what has caused the unrest in town. The wife on seeing Oranmiyan screamed out;

‘’My king, what is this that you have done ? Truly there was no war and I was only asked to call on you because your warriors were having doubts you would ever come back. These people you have killed are your own people, your own kinsmen.’’

Suddenly he stopped and buried his weapon named ‘’Asa’’ to the ground. The place where he left the weapon is called Ile Alasa and still exist in Ile-Ife today with a Chief that lives in the house.

www.demitalks.com/2018/12/11/my-visit-to-oranmiyan-staff

Pictures ;
** Relaxation centre.
** A hall for meetings.
** An office use by by the guards.

The staff located at Mopa Arubidi area of Ile-Ife stands at 5.5m tall and about 1.2m in circumference at the foot and is believed to have been his staff while he was alive i.e his walking stick. Interesting The staff also served as his shield when he goes to war as he used it to wade off arrows and bullets from attackers. The staff has different markings engraved by the side from the top to the bottom with bullets holes and arrows gotten during battle. To this day before any Ooni in Ife emerges he must pay homage to the Oranmiyan staff with series and procedures of different sacrifices to carry out and also the traditional Olojo festival that takes place in September must be done yearly in honour of Oranmiyan by the Ooni.


After several battles Oranmiyan finally returned to Ife to become king and sent the reigning king into exile, being a great warrior the reigning king gave room for him to be king . After a while of reigning as king he called his warriors together and informed them he was going on a journey to visit his sons scattered across different kingdoms but he would be going alone as he was not going on a war mission this time around . The warriors were confused and terrified of being left alone, they showed their grievance and poured out their fears. They said

‘’ what if you leave and a great war starts? We will all be killed “

Then he called his wife and told her to stay back with them and whenever they sense a war his wife should call on him with a distinct language he taught her now known in Ife as the ‘Gbajure’ language which is still spoken till date.

www.demitalks.com/2018/12/11/my-visit-to-oranmiyan-staff

Before starting this story I would like to state that I got this narration from the guard called Baba Ogba at the groove in Ile Ife. I also made some research on the story to compare with the narration I got from him without leaving out the originality of his own words. Hope you enjoy!!.

Oranmiyan was a great warrior of the Yoruba kingdom with so much power and might. He was not just a warrior in his hometown Ile-Ife but also a great warrior around different kingdoms as he fought and conquered lot of territories across different towns and cities.

Oranmiyan fought wars in places such as in Edo state where he got married to a native woman of the land who had a son for him called Eweaka from the Yoruba word “owo mi ka” meaning I’m capable of handling this and who is believed to be the first Oba of the Benin kingdom. He also won wars and conquered the great Oyo kingdom to create the Oyo empire where he made his son king before leaving...

Full story on my blog
www.demitalks.com/2018/12/11/my-visit-to-oranmiyan-staff


Pictures : With Baba Ogba....

lakesidepapa:
Lesh is a slang name for ilesha.. just like Lasgidi to lagos, JTown to Jos, L.A to Los Angeles, Yankee to US, Jand to UK, IB to Ibadan and so on..

Oh, cool

lakesidepapa:
you would understand what I was saying if u have tasted the soup. .

Indeed

Drabeey:
reply your PM, let's talk about making money.
with more of this!

Okay.

movid:
If u have not being to Imesi ile where the yoruba civil war ended, then you have not being anywhere. Am filming a documentary on YORUBA PAST HEROS. Would you like to tag along?

Interesting. I would love to. Send me a pm please.

Didi2d:
You have beautiful legs

Thanks

BabaOwen:
is the white woman still alive?

No, she died in 2009 and was buried somewhere around the groove but not disclosed to strangers.

RighteousI:
look at how urban, modern and graduate looking the girl looks yet she is into all these fetishes. if you see her singing "Imela" in a redeemed Church you will not even associate her with such fetishes.

Only Christ will save you. traditional religions are from satan.

I can't help with this kind of thinking

mechanics:
There is no wish that God Almighty won't answer, why going to a place that will only guaranty you a temporary wish, a true Christian won't find himself or herself in that place.

Where exactly did I say I went there to wish? It's a tourism site just like any other tourist site around the world. You over religious folks assume to know too much.

FisifunKododada:
Very beautiful op. You did a good job. Kudos to those who preserve culture despite the odds.

Thank you.

Crossbow:
I love your presentation.. The detailed write up and captured scenery.. OP nice one!

Thank you.

Sleekfingers:
What's satanic there? But visiting Jerusalem and Mecca is holy ?
Black Africans with their inferiority complex etc.....most especially Nigerians......
They spend millions of dollars going to Saudi Arabia and Israel yearly....boosting those countries economy..what would you call that?...tourism is a big business....and we need to start appreciating what's ours....

Exactly. Thanks for the insight. So many places around us to visit but we prefer to run abroad and spend loads of money on some other people cultural history.

randy01:
At op could you believe am this city but never visit here once because of religion. But when next you come try to visit Susan Wenger house around olugun in ita olokan

Which religion stops you from going there? It's a tourism site. No one is saying you should go there and worship. It has rich cultural heritage and stories that one should know.

All4good:
Good effort. Really Nice. Kudos

Thank you.

docadams:
OP, nice work. Heard about this place for the first time when the festival was holding. Not much was shown of the place

That's because doing the festival the place is usually crowded. You can read up some facts I got from there on my blog. Thanks.